Vikings escape with 30-27 win over Bears in overtime thriller1 Spectacular Growth Stock Investors Should Have on Their Radar in December - The Motley Fool

‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained?Sixteen months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms and two months into the transmission of the four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, the exercise has been encumbered by confusion and apprehension The Bills – four in all – ought to have sailed enjoyed the legislatures’ endorsement but they are embroiled in a back-and-forth push with no headway. Fron the benefit of hindsight, it could be recalled that as a presidential aspirant in 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu hinted about his disposition for tax reforms as one of the primary goals of his administration. To lay a strong fiscal and revenue foundation for sustainable growth for the rest of his tenure and beyond, Tinubu believes an overhaul of tax laws was necessary. In validating the intention, Tinubu, on August 8, 2023, as a sitting inaugurated the Taiwo Oyedele’s Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, headed by an astute tax expert – Taiwo Oyedele. Oyedele not only hit the ground running, he embarked on consultations, traversing the breadth and lengths of the country, distilling essence for tax reform. His committee had audiences with members of civil society groups and engagement with media and other critical stakeholders – all aimed at galvanising inputs and feedback. The country currently has over 60 varieties of taxes administered disjointedly across three tiers of government. Oyedele said his committee will reduce the number of payable taxes to compact size numbers. Oyedele’s tax reforms committee comprises members of the public and private sectors. At the committee’s inauguration, Tinubu said the country cannot continue to tax poverty or production but should focus on returns, income, and consumption. He directed all government agencies, ministries, and departments to cooperate fully with the committee in achieving their mandate. “Within the scope of this mandate, the committee shall have as its objective the advancement of viable and cost-effective solutions to issues such as the multiplicity of revenue collection agencies, high cost of revenue administration, excessive burden of compliance on ordinary taxpayers, the lack of effective coordination between fiscal and other economic policies within and across levels of government, and poor accountability in the utilization of tax revenues.”. “I have given them a strong mandate, and I expect their report to cover tax reform, fiscal policy design and coordination, and the harmonisation of taxes and revenue administration, among other items. “Our target is to improve Nigeria’s revenue profile while making the business environment more conducive and internationally competitive. Our aim is to transform the tax system to support sustainable development while, at the same time, achieving a minimum of an 18 per cent tax-to-GDP ratio within the next three years. “In order to ensure seamless implementation, the Committee shall be empowered not merely to make recommendations but also to provide practical support to the government in the execution and delivery of the recommended changes. “The committee is expected to achieve its mandate within a period of one year. They are, in the first instance, expected to deliver a schedule of quick reforms that can be implemented within thirty days. Critical reform measures should be recommended within six months, and full implementation will take place within one calendar year,” Tinubu said. Provisions of the Tax Bills There four executive tax bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. Each bill addresses specific aspects of tax administration, compliance, and enforcement. Each bill is detailed, with clarity of explanation. It unearths existing tax lapses it seeks to address. For instance, the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country. The Tax Administration Bill is to provide a legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes; the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill is to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, while the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill is to create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman. With regards to the tax administration bill, in relation to the business of mining, Section 20 (sub-section 1) of the new bill stipulates thus: “Every person engaged in the trade or business of mining shall, upon the coming into effect of this Act or upon commencement of operations, file a monthly self-assessment return of minerals royalty with the Service in the prescribed form. (2) Pay the correct royalty due to the government on the minerals sold or used at the prescribed rate in the Ninth Schedule to the Nigeria Tax Act. (3) The returns of royalty for each month shall be filed on or before the 21st day of the following month and shall be accompanied by the following: (a) registered number of quarrying or mining licenses; (b) type of mineral and weight; (c) location and labor used; (d) quarriable minerals in metric tons. These updates are a clear departure from the current situation in which those who engaged in the business of mining are elusive and largely unaccountable. Section (4) states that the service shall review the royalty returns filed and may reassess where necessary the royalty payable, and any additional royalty shall be paid. within 30 days of service of a notice of assessment of such additional royalty, while Section 21.-(1) notes that “a non-resident person engaged in the operation of transport by sea or air into Nigeria shall file monthly returns with evidence of payment of tax as specified under section 18 of the Nigeria Tax Act to the Service in respect of the carriage of passengers, mail, livestock, or goods shipped or loaded into an aircraft in Nigeria”. Other key highlights of the Bills, which have received maximum applause and thumbs down, are as follows: any business with less than N50 million turnover is exempted from tax payment, 90% of workers in the public and private sectors to be exempted from paying income tax; 82% of what low-income persons consume to be VAT-free, scrapping over 50 nuisances tax suffered by local businesses; VAT will no longer be calculated based on where the companies have their headquarters but where their goods are consumed and the rich will pay more tax while the poor will stop paying taxes of all sorts. Other provisions of the bills include the elimination of states collection of consumption tax, the share of the federal government’s VAT quota to reduce from 15 to 10 per cent while states and local government areas get 90 per cent of VAT collected; those earning less than N1.7m monthly will now pay less income tax; customs, NUPRC, and other government agencies will hand off the collection of tax; and restricting tax collection to one agency saddled with the responsibility of the collection of all taxes in Nigeria. Similarly, those earning less than N9 million per annum will have their income tax cut by half. When operational, the bill will lead to the abolition of other multiple tax laws like the stamp duty act, etc, while over 90 per cent of small businesses will no longer pay profit tax. It makes provision for a gradual increase of VAT from 10 per cent in 2025 to 15 per cent in 2030. Almost every good consumed by low-income earners will be exempted from VAT while it seeks reprieve for most Nigerian companies that pay over 60 types of tax and levies. Bill’s bumpy road to NASS Dusted, President Bola Tinubu in October transmitted four bills to the National Assembly. One of them sought requests to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). The National Assembly began legislative deliberations on the bills expeditiously. The Bills reading had progressed to the second reading before it encountered a stalemate. Contentious VAT imbroglio Some portions of the tax reform bill deemed injurious to the socio-economic development of a section of the country stirred controversy. The Northern governors called for the halting of further debate by the National Assembly on the tax reform bill. The governors from the region voiced their opposition to a clause in the VAT provision that provided for the derivation-based model for Value Added Tax distribution. They argue that the suggested approach would disadvantage the northern states and other less industrialized regions. Expressing discontent with the policy, the governors said that VAT is currently remitted based on the location of company headquarters rather than where goods and services are consumed. They added that the measure will negatively affect the distributed revenue from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee. Based on concerns about the bills generated, the National Economic Council (NEC), in its last meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, advised the president to withdraw the four bills to allow for more consultation. The NEC took the decision at its meeting held at the Presidential Villa. Membership of the NEC includes the governors of Nigeria’s 36 states. Responding to NEC advice, President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, urged the NEC to allow the process to take its full course. President Tinubu welcomes further consultations and engagement with key stakeholders to address any reservations about the bills while the National Assembly considers them for passage,” he said. The pressure from Northern governors and other partisan groups became fierce and unrelenting. In the face of sustained mounting pressure from northern governors and 73 northern members, the House of Representatives halted the bill’s discussion indefinitely. Potpourri of views The tax bills have elicited diverse views, throwing up a potpourri of thoughts. Executive Director of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, took a swipe at some state governors opposing President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms bill. Shinkafi, a former national secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made this known during an interview. He noted that the opposition was indicative of laziness and a lack of innovation in governance. Shinkafi argued that much of the criticism stems from a lack of understanding. In addition, he accused regional leaders of perpetuating economic stagnation and underdevelopment. A former governor of Abia State and senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Kalu said the Federal Government made a mistake not to have carried the National Executive Council (NEC), Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and the Council of State along in its tax reform bills. Orji Kalu, who spokein an interview with Arise Television, opened up on the controversial tax reform bills, saying the bills are very progressive and would bring back fiscal federalism in Nigeria. “As I told you before, the bill is very progressive. It will bring back fiscal federalism. Many senators have not been briefed. I think the federal government made a mistake. The initiators of the bills would have briefed the National Economic Council, Governors’ forum”. On his part, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, advised the National Assembly not to rush the debate on the tax reform bill before them. Obi, on his X handle, also wants Nigerians, whom he identifies as sole beneficiaries, to be involved in the enactment of the bill. “Tax reform is a critical issue, and there is nothing wrong with pursuing it. However, such reforms must be subject to robust public debate,” Obi said. He welcomed the idea of a public hearing, describing it as essential, as it allows Nigerians from all walks of life to engage meaningfully. This is how we build public trust and ensure inclusivity in policymaking,” the former candidate stated. According to him, matters of this magnitude require extensive deliberation and careful consideration, adding, “They should never be rushed. Public hearings must be conducted to allow for diverse opinions and inputs.” Obi further advised that when considering tax reforms and similar issues, it is insufficient to focus solely on the benefits to the government, particularly in terms of increasing revenue collection. He wants Nigerians to take into account the overall impact on the nation and the sustainability of all its regions. In his contribution, the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, urged lawmakers to be transparent about the public hearing process on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills. He shared his view via his X official handle. Atiku wrote: “Nigerians are united in their call for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and equity. They are loud and clear that the fiscal system we seek to promote must not exacerbate the uneven development of the federating units by enhancing the status of a few states while unduly penalizing others.” The apex socio-cultural organization from the South-east, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, joining the South-west, South-south, and North-central parts of Nigeria, supported the landmark bills expected to significantly alter the existing fiscal framework. Ndigbo, in a statement issued by the Secretary General of the body, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that the bills represent a transformative opportunity for the rejuvenation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the enhancement of the fortunes of Nigerian workers. The Bills also sparked rowdy session at the House of Representatives. A member of the House, Ghali Mustapha Tijjani, representing the Albasu/Gaya/Ajingi constituency of Kano State, described the four reform bills before the National Assembly as “anti-people” and must be rejected. In an interview with newsmen at the National Assembly, Tijani said the bills are not in public interest and should be withdrawn for proper consultations and inputs from all stakeholders. “I have a background in finance, as a student of International Corporate Finance, so I have an idea of what all this is all about. The bills actually are not in tandem with public interest, and they’re not pro-masses. “This is a capitalist bill, and for such a reason, I, Dr. Ghali Mustafa Tijjani, am rejecting this bill as a member that represents the people. I’m in the Parliament to ensure that my people are well represented and Nigerians have all the benefits and dividends of democracy. Therefore, these tax reform bills are capitalistic in nature and are siphoning the poor, so to say”, he stated. Re-engaging stakeholders Rather than throwing out the four bills as some interest groups would suggest, Oyedele, said the federal government will re-engage stakeholders. Speaking at a town hall meeting on “Tax Reform Bills: Charting the Way Forward,” hosted by a national television network, Oyedele said the committee was rather ready to repeat engagements with stakeholders. According to him, now that the bills appeared to have generated renewed interest from stakeholders, who hitherto showed no interest, the committee was prepared to repeat the engagement process. He said consultation will also continue even after the bills have been passed into law. Commenting on allegations that the presidential tax reform committee did not consult the state governors, Oyedele said, “No, they won’t say we didn’t consult them. They are saying we need to consult more, which we agree with because consultation will never end. Even after passing the bills, we must continue to consult. Presidency dispels partisanship politics In the heat of controversy trailing the implementation of the bills, Presidency dismissed claims that the proposed tax reform bills before the National Assembly would impoverish northern Nigeria or disproportionately benefit Lagos and Rivers states. Onanuga restated that the reforms aim to improve the quality of life for all Nigerians, particularly the disadvantaged, and streamline tax administration to foster a better business environment. The statement followed concerns raised by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who claimed that the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing model might favor Lagos and Rivers states – the fears Oyedele has dispelled. To further assuage ill thoughts harbored by some group of persons on the bills, President Tinubu directed the Justice Ministry to work with the National Assembly on concerns over tax bills. Mr. Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation on behalf of the government, said, “President Tinubu and the administration will continue to champion policies that close the loopholes and gaps through which Nigeria’s valuable public resources have been frittered away for decades.”. “On top of this necessary foundation, the resources being conserved and realized from these reforms will be invested in critical infrastructure (healthcare, education, transportation, digital technology, etc.) and in social investments that will benefit all Nigerians and ensure that no one is left behind. This is the promise and the reality of the Renewed Hope agenda.” All said, there is no denying that in spite of the arguments against them, many informed observers strongly believe that the tax reforms bills are vital for the development of the nation and the sustainability of the various sections. It therefore, behooves on the Tinubu to strategically engage the National Assembly, the state governors and the people on the benefits derivable for the bills.

NoneThe back half of 2024 has been a strong period for speculative high-growth stocks. Like dozens of these companies, Archer Aviation ( ACHR 8.09% ) is up over 100% in the past month, with its stock boost happening right around the United States presidential election. Archer Aviation is an air taxi company looking to build a network in multiple wealthy cities around the globe with its point-to-point strategy. Is Archer Aviation stock a buy, sell, or hold for investors today? Let's take a look into this soaring air taxi start-up and find out. Big potential in commercialized air taxis Archer Aviation is building a fleet of electric vertical take-off and landing taxis, otherwise known as eVTOL. They are similar to helicopters, but slightly different and less noisy, which should allow them to operate more in cities. Management is aiming to tackle heavily traffic routes that take around an hour to drive, such as going from downtown Manhattan to the airport. In its proposed route, a trip from the south end of Manhattan to Newark Airport will take only nine minutes. Customer value comes from the exclusive service and time saved, which wealthy people will pay a pretty penny for. Due to the long regulatory journey, Archer Aviation is not operating today. In 2025, it plans to produce around two aircraft per month and (hopefully) commence operations in New York, Tokyo, and Abu Dhabi. Its order book is large, estimated to be over $6 billion, which shows the commercial demand for eVTOL taxis if the technology and infrastructure can work correctly. Once the test routes start working, there is a near-endless growth runway for Archer Aviation to go after. There isn't a city around the world that doesn't deal with traffic issues, with more and more routes that can be added to its point-to-point network in major urban areas. It will be a long journey, but this disruptive new mode of transportation could become a big deal over the next decade, at least in a select few cities around the globe. No revenue, heavy losses Potential is a word that should be associated with Archer Aviation. Don't think this is a slam-dunk guarantee yet. Archer Aviation has never generated sales and is still undergoing regulatory approval with the Federal Aviation Association (FAA). Sure, the company will generate a lot of sales when its taxi network starts operating, but that has not happened yet. Its financial statements are fairly ugly as a result of being pre-revenue. Free cash flow was negative $415 million over the last 12 months and has only gotten worse since Archer Aviation went public two years ago. Cash burn will likely get worse as it builds out its inventory of eVTOL vehicles, which will take a lot of upfront capital to build. Even if the taxi network starts operating in a few cities, Archer Aviation will still be losing money. Even if it gets to 100 point-to-point networks generating $100 an hour in revenue 24/7 and 365 days a year, that equates to just $87.6 million in annual revenue, or well below its current expense base. This scenario will not occur for many years, either. ACHR Free Cash Flow data by YCharts So should you buy Archer Aviation stock? It is undeniable that Archer Aviation stock has crushed the market over the last few months. That doesn't mean it will do well for the rest of the year and into 2025, though. I believe Archer Aviation stock is a sell for investors after this recent run-up. For one, the stock trades at a market cap of $3.3 billion. This is for a company that generates zero dollars in annual sales. Second, as calculated above, Archer Aviation's taxi network revenue will not come close to clearing its expense level even if it has 100 routes operational. An eVTOL taxi network is not going to have high gross margins. There are electricity, pilot, and depreciation costs that will eat into the company's ability to generate a profit. At the end of last quarter, Archer Aviation had over $500 million in cash on the balance sheet and plans to get more than $400 million in new funding. At its current burn rate, this would be only around two years until the balance sheet runs dry. The company will almost definitively not be generating positive free cash flow in two years. In fact, given how much money Archer Aviation is spending before its network is even operational, I doubt this business will ever generate positive cash flow. For this reason alone, investors should strongly consider selling Archer Aviation stock. This does not seem to be a durable long-term stock market winner.

Global energy executive joins Prometheus Hyperscale to accelerate sustainable data center growth and provide strategic counsel on $10B flagship project in Evanston, Wyoming HOUSTON , Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prometheus Hyperscale, a leading developer of sustainable hyperscale data centres, is delighted to announce the appointment of Bernard Looney as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Looney, former CEO of BP, brings to the role more than three decades of energy sector expertise – from the frontline to the boardroom. He will provide strategic guidance on the development of the company's growth plans, including its $10B flagship data center in Evanston, Wyoming , which will be among the largest facilities of its kind in the world when completed. The announcement of Mr. Looney's appointment comes as societies and large technology companies grapple with how to power the explosive growth in artificial intelligence (AI). The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that by 2026 data centers globally will use over 1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually, around the same as Japan uses today. Against this backdrop of soaring demand and squeezed supply, Prometheus is pioneering new standards in hyperscale data center operations. These approaches include harnessing a variety of energy sources to power its data centers, including renewables, natural gas and possibly nuclear at a later date through our strategic partnership with Oklo. Prometheus aims for its data centers to not impact grid customers. Another key challenge is the enormous amount of power and water used to cool data centers to prevent the servers from overheating. Prometheus Hyperscale uses a unique liquid cooling system that dramatically outperforms traditional air-cooling methods, reducing energy consumption by up to 50%. This system also utilises deep underground water reservoirs and captures the waste heat to reuse or sequester it. It's believed that Prometheus Hyperscale's flagship project will be the first hyperscale data center in the United States to combine liquid heat transfer and heat reuse technologies. Founded by Trenton Thornock , an experienced leader in energy, finance and infrastructure, Prometheus Hyperscale's flagship project in Evanston, Wyoming , promises to be the most advanced sustainable data center in the United States , and one of the largest in the world, when it becomes operational in 2025/26. The 1GW-capacity developed site will cover an area of 640-acres (one square mile), making it approximately three quarters the size of New York's Central Park. Four further sites are currently earmarked across Arizona and Colorado . As Chairman, Mr. Looney will ensure the successful execution of Evanston as well as Prometheus's broader business goals. His appointment comes following the recent announcement that Trevor Neilson , a renowned climate technology entrepreneur and philanthropist, will serve as the company's President. It's estimated that $1 trillion will be invested in the U.S. in data centers in the next five years – with an additional $1 trillion internationally. Trenton Thornock , Founder and CEO of Prometheus Hyperscale commented: "Having Bernard Looney join as Chairman is a tremendous step forward for Prometheus. Bernard's track record and transformative leadership in the energy sector aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of data centers. His insights, as well as his extensive operational and project delivery experience, will be invaluable as we bring our flagship project in Evanston, Wyoming to life and set new benchmarks for sustainable digital infrastructure." Trevor Neilson , President of Prometheus Hyperscale, commented: "Bernard is the perfect person to guide Prometheus as we form partnerships across the energy sector to access low-carbon electrons that will power the future of AI. His extensive industry experience and leadership will be instrumental as Prometheus establishes itself at the forefront of sustainable data center operations." Bernard Looney commented: "I am delighted to join Prometheus Hyperscale at this pivotal moment as the world grapples with the intersection of AI, Energy and Sustainability. Innovative power solutions are desperately needed to ensure that AI is unleashed to tackle some of the biggest global challenges including healthcare, economic growth, and the energy transition. We must work to find solutions that lead to Net Positive AI – where the benefits to our world outweigh any costs. The flagship Evanston project is one such solution and I look forward to lending a helping hand, working alongside Trenton, Trevor, and the entire Prometheus team to help bring this vision to life. I can't imagine a more exciting challenge." Factsheet: Prometheus Hyperscale's Flagship Project in Evanston, Wyoming Prometheus's site in Evanston, Wyoming , aims to redefine sustainable infrastructure in the data center industry, setting a new benchmark for operational excellence and environmental responsibility. Key aspects of the project include: Extensive Land and Power Capacity: The project encompasses a 12,000-acre ranch, including a dedicated 640-acre plot (about 1 square mile) for data center facilities. Prometheus has secured an initial 120 MW of grid power through Rocky Mountain Power, with plans for an additional 120 MW, ensuring robust power availability without curtailment risks. On-Site Renewable and Low-Carbon Power Generation: With an on-site generation goal of over 1 GW, which will make it one of the largest data centers in the world, Prometheus is incorporating a mix of wind, solar and gas power sources. Additionally, the company has a strategic partnership with Oklo focused on next-generation fission-based nuclear power, delivering reliable, sustainable baseload energy to the campus. High-Performance Fiber Connectivity: The Evanston site will connect directly to the Northern transcontinental fiber trunk, offering high-speed, low-latency connections between the East and West Coasts. With agreements for up to 400G of service and plans to scale up to 800G when commercially available, the project is poised to meet the rigorous connectivity needs of AI, cloud, and high-performance computing clients and to be one of the biggest data centers in the world. Cutting-Edge Liquid Cooling Technology: Prometheus's unique liquid cooling systems will be deployed to achieve unparalleled energy efficiency by capturing and reusing waste heat. This innovative solution is specifically engineered for high-performance computing environments and will play a critical role in reducing the carbon footprint of the facility. Strategic Location and Access to Skilled Labor: Located 80 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah , the Evanston site benefits from proximity to a large, skilled workforce, bolstered by a regional Journeyman Lineman program focused on data center operations. This strategic location supports the project's operational and expansion goals while reinforcing Prometheus's commitment to regional economic growth. For more information about Prometheus Hyperscale and its sustainability initiatives, please visit www.prometheushyperscale.com . About Prometheus Hyperscale Prometheus Hyperscale, founded by Trenton Thornock , is revolutionizing data center infrastructure by developing sustainable, energy-efficient hyperscale data centers. Leveraging unique, cutting-edge technology and working alongside strategic partners, Prometheus is building next-generation, liquid-cooled hyperscale data centers powered by cleaner energy. With a focus on innovation, scalability, and environmental stewardship, Prometheus Hyperscale is redefining the data center industry for a sustainable future.Mall-goers can now fuel up with coffee, donuts and ice cream as they look to redeem gift cards, return presents or buy themselves the gifts they didn't get this holiday season. A combination Dunkin'/Baskin Robbins opened in the middle of the super-regional mall at U.S. 30 and Mississippi Street in Hobart. The two Massachusetts-based chains teamed up to offer sweets to shoppers. Baskin Robbins is, of course, known for serving 31 flavors of ice cream at any given time, and has rolled out 1,300 different flavors since it opened in 1948. Formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts, Dunkin' is a staple in the Calumet Region and greater Chicagoland that historically was best known for its donuts, but which has pivoted to focus more strongly on caffeinating people on the go with a wide array of coffee drinks, including many sugary options like the seasonal peppermint mocha. It's perceived by some as a more working-class and less pretentious alternative to Starbucks. "The brand-new kiosk is located on the lower level in Center Court," Southlake Mall Marketing and Business Development Manager Kristyn Filetti said. "We are excited for them to be open and offer coffee to our shoppers again with such a strong, national brand. Along with coffee and donuts, shoppers can also enjoy their favorite Baskin Robbins' sweet treats." Open Toni's Pizza, a longtime landmark pizzeria in East Chicago, is under new ownership. Uli Gom, an acclaimed chef who also runs the EC Cafe and is especially well-known for his previous Tapas Cafe restaurant, took over the pizzeria at 4724 Indianapolis Blvd. in downtown East Chicago. It's a homecoming of sorts as he had started working there as a teenager, getting his first taste of the kitchen. ""In fact, the first time I discovered pizza was from Toni's Pizza in EC," he said. "I wow myself indulging the flavors of this melted cheese, tomato and sausage baked pie. 'What is this?' I said. So I took a job as a cook here at Toni's. Actually, my culinary journey started here. I remember spending long hot summer days making pizza with my brothers Rim and Alberto while we all were students at Purdue University." The longtime institution, having opened in 1972, is known for its pan pizza slices and Chicago-style deep dish. "Two months ago, the previous owner of Toni's decided to retire from the pizza business so my brother Rim and I took the opportunity to take over the place and bring the old Toni's Pizza back to its glory days," Gom said. "It's been a challenge for us. Unfortunately, the three-year Indianapolis Boulevard street reconstruction had a big impact to all of the small businesses in East Chicago. Fortunately, the whole street is back open for traffic, so we are taking the opportunity to promote and get the pizzeria back on track." He plans to bring old recipes back using homemade pizza dough, Italian sausage and sauce, while adding unique interesting items like chicken BBQ, pork pastor, barbacoa brisket, Buffalo and Italian meats pizzas, as well as baked pizza rolls Gom describes as ideal for game day. Toni's Pizza is open 4-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Coming soon The old Michel's Sports Eatery across from Lake Central High School at 8209 Wicker Ave. in St. John has been completely gutted for renovations. R-Bar in Highland, a sports bar in Highland known for its Serbian food, is taking over the space about five miles south. Michel's was a popular place to watch the game that closed after owner George Michel, a retired fire chief with the Schererville Fire Department, died earlier this year. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts "We've been looking to get into St. John for the last five or six years. We had other opportunities that didn't work out. This opportunity was a great fit, so we jumped on it," said Steve Ruzich, who runs R-Bar with his business partner Alex Romic. "We're got it gutted and have filled up four dumpsters. We're going to renovate the whole thing. It will be redesigned and laid out similar to our new bar. The blueprint's here. If it ain't broke, don't fix it." R-Bar's second location will have 40 new TVs, live music, trivia night, bingo parties and other events. It will encompass about 5,000 square feet and seat up to 200 people. It will have the same menu of Serbian food that includes cevaps, pljeskavica, shish kebab, smoked sausage, muckalica, burek, sopska salata, ajvar and kajmak. The traditional old world cuisine, which comes with authentic sides like raw onion, draws Serbs, Croatians and Eastern Europeans from across Northwest Indiana. Open Kabelin Ace Hardware opened a new store on Michigan City's east side. The family-owned retailer opened its eighth store and second in Michigan City at 2309 E. Michigan Blvd. in Eastgate Plaza. "This new location is more than just a store — it is a promise to support and uplift the East Side community by creating jobs, offering essential products, and forming meaningful partnerships with other local businesses," Mackenzie Kabelin Watkins said. "Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for everyone who calls this area home." Chicago-based Ace is the place with the helpful hardware man and more than 5,700 locations across the country. It's a cooperative of local hardware stores like Kabelin Hardware, which started in 1912. The chain also has locations in LaPorte, New Carlisle, Granger, Walkerton and South Bend. It's calling its latest location the Michigan City East store. The store has a 4,000-square-foot open-air garden center as well as a wide array of hardware, home improvement supplies and the expert advise Ace is known for. “We have been hard at work for months bringing this new store together. I couldn’t be prouder of the team involved and their commitment to making sure we provide the highest level of quality and service to our new neighbors," Store Manager Lisa Conley said. Reopened Tarimoro Fruits reopened in Hammond after suffering a fire in November. The neighborhood grocery store at 1301 Chicago Ave. in Hammond stocks fresh fruit, produce and meat and a wide array of imported goods from Mexico like nopales, tortillas and clay pots. It also has many vendors who serve freshly prepared meals like chicken tamales in green sauce with hot champurrado. The butcher serves many Mexican favorites like barbacoa, carnitas and cow tongue. Ethnic fare like ceviche and Puerto Rican cuisine draws customers from a wide area, including neighboring East Chicago and the south suburbs.

2024 FCS football playoff bracket: Predictions, picks for every FCS playoff game and round - NCAA.comGrizzlies vs Thunder Game HighlightsTrump taps forceful ally of hard-line immigration policies to head Customs and Border Protection

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 21, 2024-- . ( ) ( ), a leader in AI-first supply chain planning software, today reported its second quarter fiscal year 2025 financial results. “Subscription revenues continued to grow, up nine percent year over year in the current quarter, even though we faced a number of headwinds as start dates on a couple of projects pushed out and delayed closing of several late-stage deals in our pipeline,” said Allan Dow, President and CEO of Logility. “While we still expect to secure these opportunities in the current fiscal year, we are revising our revenue guidance to reflect the impact of lower professional services revenue. Our prior guidance for recurring revenue and adjusted EBITDA is unchanged as we remain confident in our ability to grow subscription fees and maintain strong margins.” During Q2’25, the company completed the reclassification (the “Reclassification”) of the Company’s common stock to eliminate its Class B Common Stock. Under the terms of the Reclassification Agreement, each outstanding share of the Company’s Class B Common Stock was exchanged for 1.2 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. In connection with the Reclassification, the Company issued 2,185,904 shares of Class A Common Stock to James C. Edenfield, the beneficial owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Class B Shares (the “Class B Shareholder”), pursuant to that certain Reclassification Agreement, dated April 10, 2024 by and between the Company and the Class B Shareholder. In accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, net (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders was reduced by the excess of the fair value of the common shares issued over the carrying amount of the Class B shares surrendered which amounted to $3.8 million or $0.11 per share in the current quarter. The overall financial condition of the Company remains strong, with cash and investments of approximately $84.2 million. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company paid shareholder dividends of approximately $3.7 million. Key Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 highlights: Conference Call Logility will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter fiscal 2025 results and financial outlook today, November 21, 2024 at 5:00pm ET. Webcast: A replay of the call will also be accessible via the investor relations page of Logility’s website at . Logility is a market-leading provider of AI-first supply chain management solutions engineered to help organizations build sustainable digital supply chains that improve people’s lives and the world we live in. The company’s approach is designed to reimagine supply chain planning by shifting away from traditional “what happened” processes to an AI-driven strategy that combines the power of humans and machines to predict and be ready for what’s coming. Logility’s fully integrated, end-to-end platform helps clients know faster, turn uncertainty into opportunity, and transform supply chain from a cost center to an engine for growth. With over 550 clients in 80 countries, the company is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Learn more at . Logility (the “Company”) includes non-GAAP financial measures (EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share) in the summary financial information provided with this press release as supplemental information relating to its operating results. This financial information is not in accordance with, or an alternative for, GAAP-compliant financial information and may be different from the operating or non-GAAP financial information used by other companies. The Company believes that this presentation of EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share provides useful information to investors regarding certain additional financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations. EBITDA represents GAAP net earnings adjusted for amortization of intangibles, depreciation, interest income & other, net, and income tax expense. Adjusted EBITDA represents GAAP net earnings adjusted for amortization of intangibles, depreciation, interest income & other, net, income tax expense and non-cash stock-based compensation expense. This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ materially from what is anticipated by statements made herein. These factors include, but are not limited to, continuing U.S. and global economic uncertainty and the timing and degree of business recovery; the irregular pattern of the Company’s revenues; dependence on particular market segments or customers; competitive pressures; market acceptance of the Company’s products and services; technological complexity; undetected software errors; potential product liability or warranty claims; risks associated with new product development; the challenges and risks associated with integration of acquired product lines, companies and services; uncertainty about the viability and effectiveness of strategic alliances; the Company’s ability to satisfy in a timely manner all Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) required filings and the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations adopted under that Section; as well as a number of other risk factors that could affect the Company’s future performance. For further information about risks the Company could experience as well as other information, please refer to the Company’s current Form 10-K and other reports and documents subsequently filed with the SEC. Logility® is a registered trademark of Logility, Inc. Other products mentioned in this document are registered, trademarked or service marked by their respective owners. $ 14,522 $ 13,358 9 % $ 29,313 $ 27,121 8 % 73 229 (68 %) 314 518 (39 %) 3,617 4,003 (10 %) 7,487 7,689 (3 %) 7,074 8,100 (13 %) 14,364 16,263 (12 %) 25,286 25,690 (2 %) 51,478 51,591 0 % 4,678 4,607 2 % 9,372 8,824 6 % 2 93 (98 %) 46 165 (72 %) 2,717 2,856 (5 %) 5,413 5,916 (9 %) 1,380 1,733 (20 %) 2,670 3,428 (22 %) 8,777 9,289 (6 %) 17,501 18,333 (5 %) 16,509 16,401 1 % 33,977 33,258 2 % 4,347 4,269 2 % 8,711 8,518 2 % 5,085 5,313 (4 %) 10,721 11,044 (3 %) 5,850 5,461 7 % 11,283 10,922 3 % 191 129 48 % 382 153 150 % 15,473 15,172 2 % 31,097 30,637 2 % 1,036 1,229 (16 %) 2,880 2,621 10 % 1,180 (577 ) 2,314 1,310 77 % 2,216 652 240 % 5,194 3,931 32 % 478 31 1442 % 1,403 696 102 % $ 1,738 $ 621 180 % $ 3,791 $ 3,235 17 % $ - $ 1,742 - $ - $ 1,876 (100 %) $ 1,738 $ 2,363 (26 %) $ 3,791 $ 5,111 (26 %) $ (2,018 ) $ 4,105 (149 %) $ 35 $ 6,987 (99 %) $ 0.05 $ 0.02 150 % $ 0.11 $ 0.09 22 % - 0.05 - - 0.05 - (0.11 ) - - (0.11 ) - - $ (0.06 ) $ 0.07 $ - $ 0.14 $ 0.05 $ 0.02 150 % $ 0.11 $ 0.09 22 % - 0.05 - - 0.05 - (0.11 ) - - (0.11 ) - - $ (0.06 ) $ 0.07 $ - $ 0.14 (100 %) 33,555 34,071 33,420 34,113 33,555 34,094 33,420 34,127 $ 1,036 $ 1,229 (16 %) $ 2,880 $ 2,621 10 % Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 850 795 7 % 1,700 1,028 65 % Stock-based compensation 1,609 1,580 2 % 3,195 3,125 2 % 3,495 3,604 (3 %) 7,775 6,774 15 % 14 % 14 % 15 % 13 % $ 1,738 $ 621 180 % $ 3,791 $ 3,235 17 % Income Tax Expense 478 31 1442 % 1,403 696 102 % Interest Income (Loss) & Other, Net (1,180 ) 577 (305 %) (2,314 ) (1,310 ) 77 % Amortization of intangibles 852 899 (5 %) 1,711 1,270 35 % Depreciation 316 378 (16 %) 644 738 (13 %) 2,204 2,506 (12 %) 5,235 4,629 13 % Stock-based compensation 1,609 1,580 2 % 3,195 3,125 2 % $ 3,813 $ 4,086 (7 %) $ 8,430 $ 7,754 9 % 9 % 10 % 10 % 9 % 15 % 16 % 16 % 15 % $ 1,738 $ 621 180 % $ 3,791 $ 3,235 17 % Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles (4) 719 757 (5 %) 1,423 846 68 % Stock-based compensation (4) 1,362 1,505 (10 %) 2,678 2,572 4 % $ 3,819 $ 2,883 32 % $ 7,892 $ 6,653 19 % $ 0.11 $ 0.08 38 % $ 0.24 $ 0.19 26 % $ 0.05 $ 0.02 150 % $ 0.11 $ 0.09 22 % 0.02 0.02 0 % 0.05 0.02 150 % 0.04 0.04 0 % 0.08 0.08 0 % $ 0.11 $ 0.08 38 % $ 0.24 $ 0.19 26 % $ 659 $ 666 (1 %) $ 1,318 $ 874 51 % 191 129 48 % 382 154 148 % $ 850 $ 795 7 % $ 1,700 $ 1,028 65 % $ 90 $ 83 8 % $ 179 $ 161 11 % 192 166 16 % 374 339 10 % 366 381 (4 %) 682 728 (6 %) 961 950 1 % 1,960 1,897 3 % $ 1,609 $ 1,580 2 % $ 3,195 $ 3,125 2 % 15.4 % 4.7 % 16.3 % 17.7 % 21.0 % 21.1 % 15.4 % 17.2 % 16.3 % 19.0 % $ 44,589 $ 59,512 39,631 24,261 16,296 28,043 789 296 17,085 28,339 6,423 6,584 107,728 118,696 5,190 5,554 - 11 45,782 45,782 8,868 10,567 9,011 7,588 3,924 4,246 $ 180,503 $ 192,444 $ 762 $ 1,248 3,060 2,805 3,705 3,657 3,511 5,012 38,057 47,621 49,095 60,343 1,313 1,620 50,408 61,963 130,095 130,481 $ 180,503 $ 192,444 $ (7,321 ) $ 6,436 - 1,618 (7,321 ) 8,054 (280 ) (490 ) - (25,032 ) (280 ) (25,522 ) - 1,825 (280 ) (23,697 ) (7,322 ) (7,514 ) - 246 - (4,814 ) (7,322 ) (12,082 ) (14,923 ) (27,725 ) 59,512 90,696 $ 44,589 $ 62,971 View source version on : CONTACT: Kevin Liu (626) 424-1535 KEYWORD: GEORGIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DATA MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT TRANSPORT RETAIL SOURCE: Logility Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/21/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 11/21/2024 04:06 PMIs ‘Glicked’ the new ‘Barbenheimer’? ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ collide in theatersJimmy Carter: A brief bio

Centurion, Dec 29, 2024 South Africa captain Temba Bavuma revealed it was an emotional moment for him personally as the Proteas sealed a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final after registering a gripping two-wicket win against Pakistan in Centurion on Sunday. “Quite an emotional moment for me. Lot of joy and happiness on our side. We did the hard way. But glad we won. I was still sulking,” Bavuma said after the match. Before the start of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion, South Africa were on the top of the standings for the next year’s summit clash at Lord’s. A win against Pakistan ensured that they would finish the standings in the top two to secure a place in their maiden WTC final. However, the win was not easy for the hosts despite chasing 148 as they crumbled on the way before Kagiso Rabada (31 not out) and Marco Jansen (16 not out) finally got them over the line to seal their maiden WTC final appearance. Bavuma lauded Aiden Markram for scoring 89 in the first innings that set the tone of the win and also earned him Player of the Match. “Aiden get them going. Wasn’t a lot of conversations. We still had the confidence. I didn’t come out to the viewing area and was in the toilet. I came when 15 runs were needed. It is a big win. Not just for myself. But for the coaches. The way we started our campaign against India. We weren’t given much of a chance. We weren’t ruthless. But we kept finding ways. We hope the guys can get confidence from performances like these. Guys get picked on when they do badly. We would like to enjoy the moment and take stock of what we have done,” the skipper said. The Proteas were already on top of the WTC standings after a 2-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka at home. Having played 11 Tests in the ongoing cycle, South Africa boast seven wins and a 66.67 point percentage. Having started off the ongoing cycle with a drawn series at home against India, followed by a clean sweep at the hands of New Zealand, the Proteas bounced back with impressive wins away from home against West Indies and Bangladesh, followed by dominant displays at home. Bavuma-led side pipped Australia, India and Sri Lanka – who are also in contention – to become the first team to book a spot in the final, barring any point deductions owing to slow-over rate.(Agency)PMI surveys point to robust global growth in November, but Europe falters as US outperforms